Highland Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set

by Unknown

  Finally Callum led her to a seat at the gate. She dropped into it and leaned her head back against the wall, closing her eyes. Her mind took off on a wild train of thought. Maybe she should just find an airport security guard, or whatever they were called, and claim Callum was kidnapping her.

  And then explain to him that I killed a man with a baseball bat, and there’s a dead wolf in my living room? And, oh, by the way, the man who kidnapped me, he was pronounced dead earlier this evening.

  “Are you hungry?” His voice came to her from far away. She nodded, eyes still closed.

  “Stay here. Don’t move.”

  She had no intention of moving. If she had her way he’d forget about her and get on the plane alone, and she could just go home. That was the thought she had as she drifted into a restless state between wakefulness and sleep.

  “Here.”

  She felt something bump her arm. Groggily she opened her eyes, blinking. Callum was holding out a sandwich and a can of soda. She took them, sitting up in her chair.

  “Thanks.”

  The sandwich was from a vending machine but as Aspyn opened it she realized she was starving. Her sandwich was gone in a few bites and she sat back, drinking the soda. Callum chewing more slowly, eyes restlessly scanning the crowds.

  “How long is the flight?”

  “Fifteen hours, give or take. You’ll have time to sleep.” He glanced at her and she caught a hint of smile on his face.

  “What?”

  “You snore.” The smile broadened briefly into that cocky grin before he looked away and went back to his sandwich.

  “I do not.” He was insufferable. She crossed her arms over her chest. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “Ye’ll like Scotland. It’s a very beautiful country.”

  She thought he sounded wistful. Maybe he missed his home. But she wasn’t going home; she was being dragged from hers. “I’m sure it is. But I’m not there for sightseeing, now am I?”

  Callum turned to her, the wistful look gone. For an instant she regretted the harshness of her words. “No. I guess not.” He took the wrappers from the sandwiches and stood, heading toward a trash can. Aspyn watched him walk away. He was insufferable and inscrutable.

  She looked around the terminal. Most of the travelers were laughing, anticipating the adventure ahead of them. There was a couple sitting not far off, holding hands, heads close together. The man leaned over, kissing the girl gently on her temple, and she turned and gave him such a loving smile it made Aspyn’s heart swell with emotion. Were they going on their honeymoon, making new memories for a future together? She wondered how she and Callum looked to those around them. They were sitting far away from everyone else. And she was pretty clear the tension between them was obvious.

  He came back and sat down next to her. They spent the rest of the wait in silence, Callum watching the crowds and Aspyn trying to make sense of it all. It was so fucking surreal. There were too many pieces to this puzzle and none of them fit together. She’d reconciled herself to the fact that Callum really hadn’t died in the ER. She could get her mind around that. He might be crazy…or now she was. Something bizarre had happened in her apartment but here, sitting in the terminal, it all seemed distant and unreal.

  Her head ached and all she wanted was for this to be done. And if that meant she had to follow Callum to Scotland, then she wanted this part to get started, so she could get whatever it was over with and get back to her own life.

  * * *

  Callum watched the gate area gradually filling up with passengers. There were a few families, mostly, along with a few who he thought were businessmen, carrying briefcases and having animated conversations on their cell phones.

  No one aroused his suspicions. Among all the smells of the terminal he couldn’t catch the scent of the man who’d been in the alley and then had shown up at Aspyn’s apartment. He didn’t want to let down his guard, but he was cautiously optimistic he’d lost the man who was following them.

  Aspyn had fallen asleep again, shifting uneasily in her chair until she’d ended up with her head resting against his shoulder. He watched her sleep for a minute. Her face looked softer, relaxed. It occurred to him it was the first time he’d seen her where she wasn’t either trying to save his life, or trying to save her own.

  He sighed; this had gotten so much more complicated than he’d ever imagined. Getting involved with a woman who wasn’t a shifter had always been complicated. Getting involved with her when his life was in danger just made everything worse. Plus it put Aspyn in danger. None of this was what he wanted. He turned back to watching the crowd.

  But her scent came to him, subtle, distinctly feminine, and vaguely tinged with her fear. His thoughts wandered back to Aspyn. She wasn’t like any woman he’d ever met, at least one who wasn’t a shifter. He expected those women to be tough. But Aspyn had gone after him with a bat and then she’d killed a shifter with it. He absently rubbed the place she’d hit him. It occurred to him he was damned lucky she hadn’t caught him alongside the head or he’d be dead as well.

  The boarding call began for their flight. Aspyn stirred, moving against him, then sitting up abruptly when she realized where she was. And apparently who she was leaning against.

  “Do I have time for a trip to the ladies?” She rubbed her eyes.

  “Yes. Just don’t dawdle.” Even as he said the words he realized how gruff he sounded. Aspyn glared at him but remained silent as she rose and headed off.

  He watched her walk away. For the first time he took a long look at her. And he smiled.

  * * *

  Aspyn followed Callum onto the plane. They weren’t seated together and for a moment Aspyn panicked. The flight attendant led Aspyn to her window seat and she craned her neck, looking for Callum in the crowd. He’d disappeared and she sat back in the cramped seat, her heart racing. She’d wanted to be rid of him, but now that she was alone, she was scared.

  The businessman seated next to her immediately started on a monologue about himself, his business, where he was going, where he was from. She heard only half of what he said and she really wished he’d just shut up. Her nerves were shot and his non-stop babbling was driving her crazy. She turned her face away from him, thinking he’d get the hint. Or assume she was asleep. But he kept on, leaning forward so she was sure to catch every word.

  The man’s words cut off abruptly. Aspyn breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe he’d gotten the message that she wasn’t interested in listening.

  “You can stop pretending to ignore him.”

  Aspyn jerked her head toward the voice. Callum was sitting in the seat where the businessman had been.

  “What did you do?”

  “Don’t look at me like I broke his neck and stuffed him in a bin somewhere. I just asked him nicely if he’d change seats with me.”

  From the look in Callum’s eyes she didn’t think nicely had figured into his request. But she didn’t care. She felt an absurd rush of relief.

  The plane started moving and a brief flash of anticipation filled her. She loved to fly. It would be nice if she could fly without memories of Charlie surfacing. And now, sitting here with Callum, heading to Scotland to avoid certain death by a werewolf, she was pretty sure any future trips were going to be tainted as well. The flight attendant went through her safety spiel and the plane started taxiing down the runway.

  She looked out the window, watching the tarmac speed past them, the plane gaining speed. Despite everything she felt herself smiling. Lifting off always made her feel hopeful and optimistic.

  “Look, you can see…” She turned to Callum, but what she saw stopped the words dead on her lips.

  His eyes were squeezed shut tightly, features contorted in a grimace. His fingers were welded to the the seat rest in a death grip, knuckles white. For a minute she didn’t think he was breathing.

  “Callum?” She put her hand on top of his. Immediately he gripped her hand with his other hand, almost br
eaking her fingers.

  “Callum…let go.”

  He turned to her, a look of abject terror in his eyes. For a moment she was confused, but then it dawned on her.

  “You’re afraid to fly.”

  “Just the take offs and landings, and the part in between. And in small planes.”

  She wanted to laugh. They were on commercial jet, certainly not a puddle jumper. But he looked miserable. Very gently she tried to peel his fingers off of hers.

  “Callum, you’re hurting me.”

  He looked down at their clenched hands as if seeing them for the first time. “Oh, sorry.” He let go of her. But as soon as she’d gotten her fingers free the plane shuddered as the wheels left the tarmac.

  “Oh, fuck.” Callum grabbed her hand again, pulling it against his chest. She let him hold her hand this time, despite the pain. The plane started climbing and Callum went rigid in the seat, head back against the headrest.

  Aspyn slid her fingers along the inside of Callum’s wrist. His heart rate through the roof. She leaned forward, looking closely at him. His face was covered with sweat, his breathing shallow. He was either going to hyperventilate or throw up. Neither was appealing.

  “Callum. Hey…” She shook his hand, leaned close to him, raising her voice. “Callum. Look at me.” He turned his head, eyes wild.

  “Jesus, Callum. Breathe…come on. Focus on my voice and take a breath. You can do it.”

  His eyes were locked with hers but his breathing was still shallow and fast. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Shit…he was going to pass out.

  Reaching forward, she grabbed one of the ridiculous little airsick bags, opening it one-handed and shoving it at Callum.

  “Callum. You’re going to breathe into the paper bag, okay? Trust me…it’ll help.”

  He looked down, took the bag, held it over his nose and mouth, and started breathing rapidly into it, watching her over the top of the bag. His eyes went wider and he started to shake.

  “Slow down…slow breaths…deep breaths.”

  Callum pulled in a deep breath. Aspyn nodded and smiled. “Yeah, just like that. Do that again…blow it out…”

  He exhaled, drew another breath, and then another one. His heart beat beneath her fingers was still fast, but it was slowing. His eyes had lost that panicked, wild look, and he nodded at her.

  “Is he alright?”

  Aspyn looked up. The flight attendant leaned over from the aisle, watching her and Callum, concern on her pretty face.

  “I’m a nurse. He’s fine. Just a mild panic attack. Could you bring us a ginger ale?”

  The flight attendant nodded, smiling down at Callum. “Sure thing.” She straightened, her hand resting briefly on Callum’s shoulder, and then she headed down the aisle. Aspyn watched her walk away.

  “You’re charming, even when you’re turning green.” Aspyn turned back to Callum. His heart rate had slowed, his breathing slower, deeper. He finally let go of her hand, pulling the paper bag away from his face.

  “Thanks.” He looked down at the bag in his hands. “I really hate flying.”

  “No kidding. How do you feel?” She took his wrist in her hand again, sliding her fingers along the inside of his wrist. “Your pulse is back to something close to normal.”

  “Better. It’s not been quite this bad before.” He gave her a rueful grin. “I’m sure ye think this is pretty ironic, the big bad wolf is afraid to fly.”

  She did think it was ironic, and kind of funny. But she couldn’t really tell Callum that. At least not now. Maybe later, when he’s not in danger of throwing up on me.

  “It’s pretty common. Among non-shifters too.”

  “We’re earth creatures, not meant to fly. It’s not natural to be off the ground.”

  The attendant appeared with the ginger ale. “Here. You look better. We’ll be in Newark in just a few hours. This will all be over soon.” She pulled out the tray table, fussing over Callum, ignoring Aspyn. “You need anything else, let me know. My name’s Maureen.” Her hand was on his shoulder again, this time the touch more of a blatant caress.

  “Thank ye. I appreciate it.” Callum smiled up at Maureen. She gave his shoulder a final pat and sauntered down the aisle.

  “She always manages to leave walking away from you.”

  “What?” Callum turned to her. “I missed that.”

  “Nothing.”

  He sipped his ginger ale, closing his eyes briefly. “Thanks. Again.” He set the plastic cup down, fidgeting with it for a moment.

  “You know, I really do owe ye my life, Aspyn. And…” He looked at her. There was something hesitant in that glance and it surprised Aspyn.

  “…and I really want to say I’m sorry for how this has turned out for ye.”

  “Oh, well…” Wasn’t expecting that. “I’m sure it wasn’t what you were planning, was it? I mean, breaking into my apartment and then kidnapping me.”

  “Aye, you’re right, it wasn’t my plan.” He grinned at her. “You weren’t a planned part of my night at all. Or my life.”

  “Oh.” Even though she knew what he meant, his words stung just a little.

  “But ye know, it’s not such a bad thing.” He was looking down into the bubbles of his ginger ale, turning the glass absently in his hands.

  “Not so bad?”

  “Aye.” He turned to her. “I find you’re growing on me.” There was a softness to his voice and Aspyn’s heart did a little flip in her chest.

  “How so?” Is this a path you really want to go down?

  He gave her a shrug. “You’re nice. Ye took care of me, more than once. And you can take care of yourself. Not many women can do what you did. I’d expect a woman from my Clan to handle herself, but you…” He shrugged again. “Ye turned out to be unexpected. And I like that.”

  She felt her face growing hot. Something like a compliment was the last thing she expected from Callum. There was nothing she could think of to say, not even something flip or sarcastic.

  They sat in silence. Aspyn looked out the window at the thick gray clouds outside the window. Maybe down there somewhere was another thunderstorm, possibly the same one that had passed over Chicago last night.

  The plane shuddered. It felt like they’d suddenly dropped a hundred feet. She knew that wasn’t possible but still, they’d hit some kind of turbulence.

  “Aspyn.” Callum’s voice sounded strained.

  She turned to him. “You okay? It’s just a little turbulence. Nothing to worry about.”

  He was staring fixedly at her. “Easy for you to say. Your stomach’s not turning over.”

  “Sip the ginger ale. It’ll help settle your stomach. If you feel…the need…just head to the bathroom.”

  Callum snorted. “I’m not going to be sick. I’ve got more control than that.”

  But his face was pale. Aspyn reached out and took his wrist, fingers against his skin. His pulse was just a little fast and at least he wasn’t hyperventilating again.

  “I think you’re okay. You can put your belt back on…”

  Callum shook his head violently. “I hate those. It just makes it worse. I feel trapped.”

  “Okay. Until they put the sign back on just relax. Breathe deeply, slowly…”

  He took her hand, winding his fingers through hers. “Aspyn. I appreciate the nursing. But can we just talk?”

  “Talk? About what?”

  “Anything really. I need a distraction.”

  Her brows drew together. “I’m a distraction?”

  “No, not you.” He exhaled a short laugh and squeezed her hand. “It’s just…talking takes my mind off the flight, the damn plane is jumping around in the air.”

  “I see.” She sat back in her seat. “Anything in particular? Or should I just start rambling on about nothing?”

  “We could play twenty questions. I’ll start.” He took a sip of ginger ale. “How long have you been a nurse?” He’d settled back in his seat but she could still feel the ten
sion in his grip.

  “About four years. I’ve been at Chicago Mercy about six months.”

  “Six months. Before Chicago?”

  Aspyn felt her own fingers tense against Callum’s. Too much, too soon.

  “Atlanta.”

  She kept her eyes focused on the seat ahead of her, but she could tell Callum was looking at her.

  “I’m not trying to pry, Aspyn. Sorry. Your turn. Ask a question.”

  There were so many questions, too many, really. But only one was at the top of the list.

  “Why me?”

  She looked over at him, expecting the cocky smile and some smart ass answer. But he was looking at her levelly.

  “Because I knew you’d help. I could tell…by the sound of your voice, your touch, that you’re a caring person.”

  “There were others there that were just as caring, just as competent, who took care of you tonight.” She was getting a fluttery feeling in her chest and her stomach felt a little unsettled. She was pretty sure it wasn’t the turbulence of the plane causing all that either.

  He loosened his grip on her hand just enough to rub his thumb across her knuckles. “There’s something in your scent…something that makes you different from everyone else.” He shrugged. “It’s hard to explain to someone who’s not a shifter, but there’s an elemental difference between you and everyone else that was in that room tonight. Call it chemistry, call it whatever you like. But I knew, the minute I caught your scent, you were the one I wanted.”

  That wasn’t what she expected for an answer. “The one you wanted?” She felt silly repeating his words. You’re not a teenager here, Aspyn. Act your age.

  He leaned closer, raising her hand, until their clasped hands were in front of his lips. “Put it this way: under any other circumstances, I’d still want you.”